New to me 1G Insight

[doctorgonzo]

Just bought my first Insight about a week ago. I’ve had my fair share of Hondas: Acura Legend, CRX Si, CRX HF x2, ’92 Civic Si with a B18C1 ’94 Civic CX, 1991 Civic Si with a B18C5, but I’d always admired the Insight from afar.

I had a few days off so I drove a couple of hours to go test drive one. I wasn’t really serious in spite of the distance covered just to see it, but the guy saw that I was a Honda aficionado and offered it to me the next day for 1650 bucks so I drove back last Saturday with a friend to buy it.


Of course the car has it’s share of typical peccadillos, bad roof paint, bad second-gear synchro, bad LAF sensor, sticky “Trip” button, black wheels, bad IMA battery, but it has tons going for it, namely it’s an Insight, and all of the intrinsic wonderfulness that goes with that. I’ve had a lot of fun reading the journeys of other forum members who’ve fixed up their Insights and wrestled with dead or dying battery packs, so I’ll do my best to work and entertain others who may be considering doing the same.

I’ve had the car for eight days now and haven’t really done anything to it except drive the hell out it, but I have an eBay S2000 steering wheel on the way to replace the tattered original, so there’s a start. Happy motoring!

[doctorgonzo]

This is a bit of a superfluous post, but necessary at the same time since I need to have posted five times in order to have picture-posting privileges.

I forgot to add “bad EGR valve” to that list in the prior post, so I’ve ordered all of the EGR and EGR plate gaskets from my local Honda dealer (cash wholesale—sweet!) so I hope I’ll be able to cure the “bucking” and bad off-idle drivability of the engine. My LAF sensor is only a four-wire, for some reason, and obviously that has to be addressed, but I’m a bit light in the funds department after my new Insight and new floor mats and S2000 steering wheel spending spree last week. Just two more posts and I’ll shoot over a few pics.

[nemo]

Sound like you got yourself a (another?) project. Set up a garage entery when you get a chance so we can all see the mpg majic happen.

[gone-ot]

Welcome to the eco-zoo...what baseline MPG numbers have you found for the vehicle?

[vskid3]

While you're waiting for the ERG parts, try unplugging the EGR valve's power. It should stop the bucking, but the CEL will come on eventually. I didn't notice any other issues with mine unplugged, except that mileage may have dropped a tiny bit (hated the bucking so much I decided it wasn't worth it to plug it back in and check).

[MetroMPG]

Congrats on the purchase of your eco-Ferrari!

(Feel free to make dummy posts to get past the link/img posting limit.)

I hope you knew that EGR can also be cleaned rather than replaced. I cleaned both the plate and the valve on my 2000 and it completely cured the bucking/hesitation issue.

You're going to have fun with this car!

[doctorgonzo]

I’m definitely hopeful that I can avoid buying a new EGR valve. I pick up the gaskets and o-rings tomorrow morning, we’ll see what happens.

I’ve only been driving the Insight for eight days now, but it’s already my favorite.

It’s interesting that you liken this car to a Ferrari, I used a similar metaphor when I told a very skeptical friend that in the realm of economical cars, the Insight is a McLaren F1. When I let off the gas in fifth gear and the Insight coasts along, relinquishing it’s forward momentum but only very stingily, the MPH digits unwinding but only at slow intervals--that to me is an awesome experience, but I guess I’m preaching to the choir.

[doctorgonzo]

[doctorgonzo]

Originally Posted by vskid3

While you're waiting for the ERG parts, try unplugging the EGR valve's power. It should stop the bucking, but the CEL will come on eventually. I didn't notice any other issues with mine unplugged, except that mileage may have dropped a tiny bit (hated the bucking so much I decided it wasn't worth it to plug it back in and check).

I’ll try that.

[Daox]

Congrats on the Insight. I have yet to nab one up myself. Have fun and let us know how it all goes!